Going back to school can be a stressful time of year for parents and children. Making healthy lunches that are school approved can often add to that stress. This article will provide some healthy options for lunches, but one of the best things you can do for your child is give them a choice. Giving a choice does not mean giving them free range, but it does mean allowing them to choose between two options. Options help empower your child and increase the likelihood that they will eat healthy. For more ways to encourage your child to make healthy choices, please see my previous article “How to help picky eaters pick healthy options” https://www.plattsvilledoctor.ca/how-to-help-picky-eaters-pick-healthy-options/.
Healthy Back to School Lunches:
- Salads – salads can include Greek salads, lettuce based salads, taco salads, bean salads, etc. Salads do not have to be boring and can include quite the variety.
- Rice Crackers – rice crackers with tuna, salmon, egg salad, or hummus with cut veggies. This lunch includes not only a protein and carb, but more importantly the veggies.
- Meat and Veg – a meat such as chicken drum sticks, meat loaf, hard boiled eggs, etc.; and cut veggies. Simple, but can be a quick option especially if there are left-overs in the refrigerator.
- Pasta – brown rice pasta or zoodles (Zucchini noodles) can add a fun addition to lunch with a bit of variety compared to your classic sandwich.
- Pizza – pizza does not have to be an “unhealthy” choice. Cut down on the cheese or leave it out entirely, make substitutions such as cauliflower for wheat dough, and add extra veggies onto the base. All of these can make your pizza a wiser choice for lunches.
- Kabobs – for some parents, this may not be an appropriate option due to the mechanism to make the kabob. Making substitutions such as pretzel sticks can aid with this.
- Fresh Rolls – fresh spring rolls are a portable lunch that can once again add a dip-able, portable lunch packed full of veggies.
- Wraps – making wraps from lettuce can add a fun lunch with increased vegetables. Adding a protein source on top can increase the nutritional value of this lunch.
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Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!